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Legislation

President Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen announced today that they have certified the repeal of the discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.

n a 55 to 41 vote today, the Senate rejected an attempt to move forward on consideration of the DREAM Act, which would lay out a path to citizenship for young adults who were brought to the United States illegally as children, and who graduate from high school with the commitment to attend college or join the military.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell denies thousands of men and women in uniform the dignity of serving their country openly and honestly, and the comfort of acknowledging their loved ones. These brave and patriotic Americans deserve better.

In a 55 to 41 vote today, the Senate rejected an attempt to move forward on consideration of the DREAM Act, which would lay out a path to citizenship for young adults who were brought to the United States illegally as children, and who graduate from high school with the commitment to attend college or join the military.

In a 55 to 41 vote today, the Senate rejected an attempt to move forward on consideration of the DREAM Act, which would lay out a path to citizenship for young adults who were brought to the United States illegally as children, and who graduate from high school with the commitment to attend college or join the military.

Edging closer to becoming law, the House passed the DREAM Act yesterday and today the Senate took a procedural vote that temporarily delayed action on the measure in order to build more support for its consideration in the coming week.

The Senate GOP voted in unison today to block efforts to take up the Defense Authorization bill, which was to be the vehicle for repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and passing the DREAM Act. No GOP Senator voted to proceed with the bill.

Legislation stemming from the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, or related to issues raised by the ruling, including support for a constitutional amendment to correct the Court

UNITED STATES

United States HJR 68. Representative Leonard Boswell (D-IA3). Introduced on 1/21/2010. Constitutional amendment (US) prohibiting corporations and labor organizations from using their operating funds to pay for political ads. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HJR 74. Representative Donna Edwards (D-MD4). Introduced on 2/2/2010. Constitutional amendment (US) affirming the power of Congress power to regulate corporate spending on political speech. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 3859. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH9). Introduced on 10/20/2009. Bars foreign corporations from making political contributions, and foreign nationals from participating in decision-making regarding election-related activities. Also creates a foreign political activities clearinghouse within the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States SJR 28. Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT). Introduced on 2/24/2010. Constitutional amendment (US) affirming the power of Congress to regulate financing of federal elections and the power of states to regulate financing of state elections. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 158. Representative Dave Obey (D-WI7). Introduced on 1/6/2009. Among several campaign finance provisions is the establishment of voluntary public financing for House elections through creation of the Grassroots Good Citizenship Fund. Bans independent expenditures in House elections. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4431. Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL8). Introduced on 1/13/2010. Levies a 500 percent excise tax on corporate political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4432. Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL8). Introduced on 1/13/2010. Requires corporations to disclose any non-business expenditure made to influence public opinion. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4433. Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL8). Introduced on 1/13/2010. Applies the antitrust laws to corporate political committees. Bars such committees from serving multiple legal entities within the same business. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4434. Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL8). Introduced on 1/13/2010. Bars for-profit recipients of federal funding from making political contributions. Limits contributions made by employees of such recipients Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4435. Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL8). Introduced on 1/13/2010. Requires applications for registration with a national securities exchange to include a certification of compliance with the Federal Election Campaign Act. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4487. Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL8). Introduced on 1/21/2010. Requires corporations to get shareholder approval for any non-business expenditure made to influence public opinion. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4510. Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL8). Introduced on 1/26/2010. Bars corporations from making political contributions if a foreign principal(s) has an ownership interest. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4511. Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL8). Introduced on 1/26/2010. Bars corporations from making political contributions if they retain or employ registered lobbyists. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4517. Representative John Hall (D-NY19). Introduced on 1/26/2010. Bars corporations from making political contributions if a foreign principal(s): controls 5% or greater of outstanding shares; serves on the Board; or is employed in a senior executive position. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4522. Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ8). Introduced on 1/26/2010. Bars corporations from making political contributions if a foreign principal(s): serves on the Board; has an ownership interest; or holds debt or other obligations. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4523. Representative Tom Perriello (D-VA5). Introduced on 1/26/2010. Bars corporations from making political contributions if a foreign principal(s) has an ownership interest. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4527. Representative Steve Driehaus (D-OH1). Introduced on 1/27/2010. Requires corporations and labor organizations to include certain sponsor identification information on their campaign material. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4537. Representative Michael Capuano (D-MA8). Introduced on 1/27/2010. Requires shareholder approval of corporate political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4540. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT3). Introduced on 1/27/2010. Bars corporations from making political contributions if a foreign principal(s) has controlling interest. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4550. Representative Niki Tsongas (D-MA5). Introduced on 1/27/2010. Prohibits the use or donation of federal funds to support political contributions and lobbying activities. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4583. Representative John Boccieri (D-OH16). Introduced on 2/3/2010. Requires certain nonprofit and political organizations to include certain sponsor identification information on their campaign material and in reports on independent expenditures and electioneering communications. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4617. Representative Tim Walz (DFL-MN1). Introduced on 2/5/2010. Requires financial institutions receiving emergency federal funding to segregate such funding. Bars them from using this money for political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4630. Representative Gary Ackerman (D-NY5). Introduced on 2/22/2010. Requires disclosure of corporate political contributions to shareholders. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4644. Representative Joe Sestak (D-PA7). Introduced on 2/22/2010. Requires shareholder approval of corporate political contributions. Exempts corporate political committees. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4749. Representative David Price (D-NC4). Introduced on 3/3/2010. Requires inclusion of certain sponsor identification information in all campaign material. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States HR 4790. Representative Michael Capuano (D-MA8). Introduced on 3/9/2010. Requires shareholder and Board approval of corporate political contributions. Requires applications for registration with a national securities exchange to include disclosure of such contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States S 2954. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ). Introduced on 1/26/2010. Bars corporations from making political contributions if a foreign principal(s): serves on the Board; has an ownership interest; or holds debt or other obligations. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States S 2959. Senator Al Franken (DFL-MN). Introduced on 1/27/2010. Bars corporations from making political contributions if a foreign principal(s) has controlling or substantial interest. Requires sponsor identification information pertaining to foreign interest(s) on campaign material by other corporations. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

United States S 3004. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Introduced on 2/4/2010. Requires disclosure to and approval of corporate political contributions by shareholders. Requires the inclusion of certain sponsor identification information on campaign material and in prominent web listings. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

ALASKA

Alaska HB 358. Representative Scott Kawasaki (D-9). Introduced on 2/19/2010. Regulates the reporting and disclosure of political contributions, including independent expenditures. Also requires a "paid for by" disclosure on all political communications. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Alaska HB 401. Representative Paul Seaton (R-35). Introduced on 2/23/2010. Regulates the reporting and disclosure of political contributions, including independent expenditures. Also requires a "paid for by" disclosure on all political communications. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Alaska HB 409. House State Affairs Committee. Introduced on 2/26/2010. Regulates the reporting and disclosure of political contributions, including independent expenditures. Also requires a "paid for by" disclosure on all political communications. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Alaska SB 284. Senate Judiciary Committee. Introduced on 2/19/2010. Regulates the reporting and disclosure of political contributions, including independent expenditures. Also requires a "paid for by" disclosure on all political communications. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

ARIZONA

Arizona HB 2788. Representative Kirk Adams (R-19). Introduced on 2/18/2010. Requires corporations and labor organizations to register with the Secretary of State and follow set guidelines if they wish to make independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Arizona SB 1444. Senator Bob Burns (R-9). Introduced on 2/15/2010. Requires corporations and labor organizations to register with the Secretary of State and follow set guidelines if they wish to make independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

CALIFORNIA

California AJR 3. Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-35). Introduced on 1/23/2009. Expresses disagreement with the Citizens United ruling and calls on the US Congress to pass a constitutional amendment. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

California AB 7. Assemblyman Jared Huffman (D-6). Introduced on 12/1/2008. Requires certain sponsor identification information to be included on campaign materials financed by independent expenditures. Note that an amendment replaced this entire bill with language from an unrelated measure. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

California AB 2321. Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-35). Introduced on 2/19/2010. Refers to Citizens United in its regulation of corporate political disbursements, including: reporting and disclosure requirements; and shareholder rights, including objection/refusal, share refunds, and civil action. Note that this bill was originally an unrelated measure. Language replaced by amendment. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

COLORADO

Colorado HJR 1011. Representative Paul Weissmann (D-12). Introduced on 2/10/2010. Calls on the Colorado Supreme Court to interpret the impact of the Citizen United ruling. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

CONNECTICUT

Connecticut HB 5471. Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections. Introduced on 3/4/2010. Defines and regulates independent expenditures. Also defines coordinated expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Connecticut HB 5511. Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections. Introduced on 3/11/2010. Requires the State Elections Enforcement Commission to review Connecticut election law in light of Citizens United and, if necessary, make recommendations for corrective legislation. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

FLORIDA

Florida SB 470. Senator Charlie Justice (D-16). Introduced on 3/2/2010. Bars corporations from making political contributions but provides for unrestricted independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Florida HB 1207. Representative Seth McKeel (R-63). Introduced on 3/2/2010. Among several campaign finance provisions are regulations on the making of, as well as the reporting and disclosure of, independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Florida SB 2536. Senator John Thrasher (R-8). Introduced on 3/11/2010. Among several campaign finance provisions are regulations on the reporting and disclosure of independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

GEORGIA

Georgia SB 17. Senator Seth Harp (R-29). Introduced on 1/12/2009. Among several campaign finance provisions are regulations on the making of, as well as the reporting and disclosure of, independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

HAWAII

Hawaii HB 2928. Representative Scott Saiki (D-22). Introduced on 1/27/2010. Requires corporations accepting or making political contributions to form noncandidate committees. Also puts a 2-year cycle cap on contributions to those committees. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Hawaii HB 2968. Representative Della Belatti (D-25). Introduced on 1/27/2010. Expresses disagreement with the Citizens United ruling and bars corporations from making political contributions. Also restricts the use of treasury funds. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Hawaii HCR 282. Representative Bob Herkes (D-5). Introduced on 3/10/2010. Expresses disagreement with the Citizens United ruling and calls on the US Congress to pass a constitutional amendment barring the use of "person" when defining "corporate entity." Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Hawaii HR 204. Representative Bob Herkes (D-5). Introduced on 3/10/2010. Expresses disagreement with the Citizens United ruling and calls on the US Congress to pass a constitutional amendment barring the use of "person" when defining "corporate entity." Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Hawaii SB 2918. Senator Les Ihara (D-9). Introduced on 1/27/2010. Expresses disagreement with the Citizens United ruling and bars corporations from making political contributions. Also restricts the use of treasury funds. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Hawaii SCR 225. Senator Gary L. Hooser (D-7). Introduced on 3/10/2010. Expresses disagreement with the Citizens United ruling and calls on the US Congress to pass a constitutional amendment barring the use of "person" when defining "corporate entity." Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Hawaii SR 116. Senator Gary L. Hooser (D-7). Introduced on 3/10/2010. Expresses disagreement with the Citizens United ruling and calls on the US Congress to pass a constitutional amendment barring the use of "person" when defining "corporate entity." Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

IDAHO

Idaho HJM 12. House State Affairs Committee. Introduced on 2/24/2010. Expresses disagreement with the Citizens United ruling and calls on the US Congress to take action through legislation or a constitutional amendment. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

IOWA

Iowa HF 2441. House State Government Committee. Introduced on 2/16/2010. Expands the definition of "political committee" to include corporations and labor organizations engaging in political activity. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Iowa SF 2128. Senate State Government Committee. Introduced on 1/28/2010. Regulates the reporting and disclosure of political contributions, especially those from federal and out-of-state committees. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Iowa SF 2195. Senate State Government Committee. Introduced on 2/8/2010. Expands the definition of "political committee" to include corporations and labor organizations engaging in political activity. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Iowa SF 2354. Senate State Government Committee. Introduced on 2/15/2010. Regulates the making of, as well as the reporting and disclosure of, political contributions, including independent expenditures. Also requires a "paid for by" disclosure on all political communications. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Iowa HF 379. Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D-45). Introduced on 2/19/2009. Among several campaign finance provisions is the establishment of voluntary public financing. Includes regulations on the making of, as well as the reporting and disclosure of, independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

KANSAS

Kansas HB 2733. House Federal and State Affairs Committee. Introduced on 3/9/2010. Applies campaign finance reporting requirements to any person sponsoring any electioneering communication. Defines said communications. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

KENTUCKY

Kentucky HB 151. Representative Darryl Owens (D-43). Introduced on 1/5/2010. Among several campaign finance provisions is the removal of reporting requirements for paid media outlets. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Kentucky SR 127. Senator Perry Clark (D-37). Introduced on 2/10/2010. Expresses disagreement with the Citizens United ruling and reaffirms Kentucky's limits on corporate spending on elections. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

MAINE

Maine SP 592. Senator Nancy Sullivan (D-4). Introduced on 1/6/2010. Among several campaign finance provisions are regulations on the reporting and disclosure of independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

MARYLAND

Maryland HB 616. Delegate Saqib Ali (D-39). Introduced on 2/3/2010. Regulates the making of independent expenditures, including disclosure requirements and shareholder approval. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Maryland HB 725. Delegate Richard Impallaria (R-7). Introduced on 2/5/2010. Bars foreign nationals from making political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Maryland HB 917. Delegate Alfred Carr (D-18). Introduced on 2/10/2010. Bars corporations from making political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Maryland HB 1029. Delegate Alfred Carr (D-18). Introduced on 2/15/2010. Regulates the reporting and disclosure of independent expenditures made by business entities and nonprofits. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Maryland HB 1087. Delegate Saqib Ali (D-39). Introduced on 2/17/2010. Requires subsidiaries of foreign-owned business to prominently disclose where the foreign owned business entity is located, along with certain additional sponsor identification information. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Maryland HB 1225. Delegate Kumar Barve (D-17). Introduced on 2/18/2010. Requires business entities and nonprofit organizations to include certain sponsor identification information on their campaign material. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Maryland HB 1504. Delegate Justin Ross (D-22). Introduced on 3/4/2010. Bars out-of-state political committees from making political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status. http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/HB1504.htm

Maryland SB 216. Senator Brian Frosh (D-16). Introduced on 1/21/2010. Modifies and expands existing law regarding political contributions made by affiliated business entities, applying the same restrictions as single-company contributors if certain conditions are met. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Maryland SB 543. Senator David Harrington (D-47). Introduced on 2/4/2010. Requires business entities and nonprofit organizations to file independent expenditure reports. Also requires that they include sponsor identification information on their campaign material. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Maryland SB 601. Senator Jamie Raskin (D-20). Introduced on 2/5/2010. Bars business entities from contributing to campaign finance entities. Also prohibits expenditures in support of or opposed to candidates. Allows business spending only on ballot questions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Maryland SB 691. Senator Jamie Raskin (D-20). Introduced on 2/10/2010. Bars persons doing public business from making independent expenditures. Also lowers the "doing business" threshold from $100,000 to $5,000. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Maryland SB 750. Senator Roy Dyson (D-29). Introduced on 2/10/2010. Bars foreign nationals from making political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Minnesota SF 2353. Senator Ann Rest (DFL-45). Introduced on 2/4/2010. Repeals the ban on independent expenditures by corporations. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Minnesota SF 3018. Senator John Marty (DFL-54). Introduced on 3/4/2010. Among several campaign finance provisions are regulations on the making of, as well as the reporting and disclosure of, independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Minnesota HF 1206. Representative Steve Simon (DFL-44A). Introduced on 3/2/2009. Among several campaign finance provisions is a modified definition of independent expenditures, which now includes certain political party expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Minnesota HF 3668. Representative Mindy Greiling (DFL-54A). Introduced on 3/15/2010. Among several campaign finance provisions are regulations on the making of, as well as the reporting and disclosure of, independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Minnesota SF 80. Senator Ann Rest (DFL-45). Introduced on 1/15/2009. Among several campaign finance provisions is a modified definition of independent expenditures, which now includes certain political party expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi HB 383. Representative Bobby Moak (D-53). Introduced on 1/6/2010. Among several campaign finance provisions are regulations on the making of, as well as the reporting and disclosure of, independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Mississippi SB 2050. Senator David Blount (D-29). Introduced on 1/6/2010. Among several campaign finance provisions are regulations on the making of, as well as the reporting and disclosure of, independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

NEBRASKA

Nebraska LB 638. Senator Scott Lautenbaugh (NE-NP-18). Introduced on 1/21/2009. Among several campaign finance provisions are regulations on the making of, as well as the reporting and disclosure of, independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

New Hampshire HB 1367. Representative James Splaine (D-16). Introduced on 1/6/2010. Requires business organizations and labor unions to form political committees if they wish to make political contributions. Requires that such spending only be done from separate accounts funded by voluntary contributions. Also includes reporting requirements for independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

NEW JERSEY

New Jersey AR 64. Assemblyman Herb Conaway (D-7). Introduced on 3/4/2010. Expresses disagreement with the Citizens United ruling and calls on the US Congress to pass a constitutional amendment. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

NEW YORK

New York A 9948. Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-25). Introduced on 2/17/2010. Refers to Citizens United in its requiring of shareholder approval of corporate political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

New York S 7063. Senator Daniel Squadron (D-25). Introduced on 3/10/2010. Bars limited liability companies from making political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

New York A 7488. Assemblyman James Brennan (D- NY-44). Introduced on 4/13/2009. Among several campaign finance provisions is a bar on the making of political contributions by corporations and labor unions. Regulates the reporting and disclosure of independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

New York A 8902. Assemblyman Sheldon Silver (D-64). Introduced on 6/13/2009. Among several campaign finance provisions are regulations on the reporting and disclosure of independent expenditures. Establishes voluntary public financing in campaigns for legislative and statewide office through creation of the New York State Campaign Finance system/fund. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

New York S 7083. Senator Daniel Squadron (D-25). Introduced on 3/11/2010. Requires shareholder approval of corporate political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma SB 1741. Senator Glen Coffee (R-30). Introduced on 2/1/2010. Repeals the ban on independent expenditures by corporations. Modifies definitions in campaign finance law to support said repeal. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

OREGON

Oregon SB 1058. Senator Rick Metsger (D-26). Introduced on 2/1/2010. Among several campaign finance provisions is the barring of corporations and labor organizations from spending treasury funds on political contributions, including independent expenditures. Creates an exception for certain nonprofits. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania HR 653. Representative Steve Santarsiero (D-31). Introduced on 3/9/2010. Expresses disagreement with the Citizens United ruling and calls on the US Congress to call a constitutional convention. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Pennsylvania SB 1269. Senator Jane Earll (R-49). Introduced on 3/11/2010. Among several electoral reform provisions is campaign finance language related to out-of-state political committees and independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island SR 2698. Senator James Sheehan (D-36). Introduced on 3/18/2010. Expresses disagreement with Citizens United and calls on the US Congress to take action through legislation. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina H 3520. Representative Joseph Neal (D-70). Introduced on 2/12/2009. Among several campaign finance provisions is the establishment of voluntary public financing. Includes regulations on the making of, as well as the reporting and disclosure of, independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

South Carolina S 438. Senator Clementa Pinckney (D-45). Introduced on 2/18/2009. Among several campaign finance provisions is the establishment of voluntary public financing. Includes regulations on the making of, as well as the reporting and disclosure of, independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

SOUTH DAKOTA

South Dakota HCR 1018. Representative Ed Iron Cloud (D-27). Introduced on 3/9/2010. Expresses disagreement with the Citizens United ruling and calls on the US Congress to pass a constitutional amendment. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

South Dakota SB 165. Senator Scott Heidepriem (D-SD-13). Introduced on 2/1/2010. Requires shareholder approval of corporate political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

South Dakota HB 1053. House Local Government Committee. Introduced on 1/12/2010. Among several campaign finance provisions are regulations on the making of, as well as the reporting and disclosure of, independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

TENNESSEE

Tennessee HB 3182. Representative Mike Turner (D-51). Introduced on 1/27/2010. Bars foreign corporations from making political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Tennessee HB 3587. Representative Kent Coleman (D-49). Introduced on 1/28/2010. Requires corporations to file political contribution reports when corporate funds are used for this purpose. Also requires that they include sponsor identification information on their campaign material. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Tennessee HB 3626. Representative Vance Dennis (R-71). Introduced on 1/28/2010. Among several campaign finance provisions are regulations on the reporting and disclosure of independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Tennessee HB 3714. Representative G.A. Hardaway (D-92). Introduced on 1/28/2010. Bars outside corporations from making in-state political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Tennessee HB 3715. Representative G.A. Hardaway (D-92). Introduced on 1/28/2010. Bars foreign corporations from making political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Tennessee SB 3118. Senator Andy Berke (D-10). Introduced on 1/27/2010. Requires corporations to file political contribution reports when corporate funds are used for this purpose. Also requires that they include sponsor identification information on their campaign material. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Tennessee SB 3198. Senator Lowe Finney (D-27). Introduced on 1/28/2010. Bars foreign corporations from making political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Tennessee SB 3303. Senator Brian Kelsey (R-31). Introduced on 1/28/2010. Among several campaign finance provisions are regulations on the reporting and disclosure of independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Tennessee SB 3633. Senator Reginald Tate (D-33). Introduced on 1/28/2010. Bars foreign corporations from making political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Tennessee SB 3664. Senator Reginald Tate (D-33). Introduced on 1/28/2010. Bars outside corporations from making in-state political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Tennessee SB 3797. Senator Beverly Marrero (D-30). Introduced on 1/28/2010. Bars outside corporations from making in-state political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Tennessee HB 3713. Representative G.A. Hardaway (D-92). Introduced on 1/28/2010. Bars corporations from contributing to campaigns for judicial office. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Tennessee SB 3672. Senator Reginald Tate (D-33). Introduced on 1/28/2010. Bars corporations from contributing to campaigns for judicial office. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Tennessee SB 3798. Senator Beverly Marrero (D-30). Introduced on 1/28/2010. Bars corporations from contributing to campaigns for judicial office. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

VERMONT

Vermont H 299. Representative Jason Lorber (D-Chittenden). Introduced on 2/25/2009. Among several campaign finance provisions are modifications to Vermont's public financing system, the Vermont Campaign Fund. Regulates the reporting and disclosure of independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Vermont S 294. Senate Government Operations Committee. Introduced on 3/15/2010. Requires certain sponsor identification information to be included on electioneering communications. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

WASHINGTON

Washington SJM 8027. Senator Ken Jacobsen (D-46). Introduced on 2/4/2010. Expresses disagreement with the Citizens United ruling and calls on the US Congress to pass a constitutional amendment. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Washington HB 2016. Representative Dennis Flannigan (D-27). Introduced on 2/6/2009. Among several campaign finance provisions are regulations on the making of, as well as the reporting and disclosure of, independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia HB 4646. Delegate Tim Manchin (D-43). Introduced on 2/22/2010. Requires disclosure to and approval of corporate political contributions by shareholders. Requires the inclusion of certain sponsor identification information on campaign material and in prominent web listings. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

West Virginia HB 4647. Delegate Tim Manchin (D-43). Introduced on 2/22/2010. Allows corporations to make independent expenditures. Includes regulations on the making of, as well as the reporting and disclosure of, independent expenditures. Bars corporations from making other political contributions. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

West Virginia SB 692. Senator Jeffrey Kessler (D-2). Introduced on 2/22/2010. Requires disclosure to and approval of corporate political contributions by shareholders. Requires the inclusion of certain sponsor identification information on campaign material and in prominent web listings. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

WISCONSIN

Wisconsin AB 812. Representative Spencer Black (D-77). Introduced on 3/5/2010. Refers to Citizens United in its regulation of corporate political disbursements, including: registration, reporting, and disclosure requirements; shareholder approval; and foreign corporations. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Wisconsin SB 540. Senator Robert Wirch (D-22). Introduced on 2/17/2010. Refers to the Citizens United ruling in its repeal of Wisconsin's existing limits on corporate spending in elections. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status.

Wyoming HB 68. Representative Peter Illoway (R-42). Introduced on 2/8/2010. Refers to Citizens United in its repeal of Wyoming's existing limits on independent expenditures. Click here for additional information, including full text and current status

Today, President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The legislation will extend important protections to victims of violent hate crimes committed based on a person's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or disability. It also strengthens existing hate crimes protections for a variety of other categories, including race, color, religion, national origin and ethnicity.

Today, the DC City Council will hear public testimony on legislation that would allow same sex couples to be legally married in the District. Reverend Kenneth Samuel, Senior Fellow at People For the American Way and a member of PFAW's African American Ministers In Action program, said, "I'm proud that our nation's capitol is poised to give equal marriage rights to all the citizens of the District, and I want to thank the council members who are standing up for the rights of all people."

More than a decade after it was first introduced, a bipartisan group of Senators today passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act by a 68-29 vote. The measure was included in the Department of Defense Authorization Conference Report passed earlier this month by the House.

In response to the failed cloture vote on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007, People For the American Way president Kathryn Kolbert said, "Republican Senators made it painfully clear tonight that they take their marching orders from business lobbyists, not the American people. Congress had a rare opportunity in the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to reverse the destructive Supreme Court ruling in Ledbetter vs. Goodyear. The House of Representatives delivered for workers, but Senate Republicans stopped it in its tracks."